big song poppi

Chapter 562 0559 [Song Duan, King Duan of the Song Dynasty]

After dealing with the southern family, most of the southern hunting mission was completed.

It was enough for Han Zhen to cut the foundation of the southern aristocratic family with one move.

Coupled with a series of policies such as apportionment of land into acres and restrictions on land annexation, the land distribution problem in the south has been greatly alleviated.

The entire southern group is very complex, composed of aristocratic families, landowners, gentry, wealthy businessmen, and southern officials.

If this power is left alone and allowed to develop, it will definitely overthrow the court in the end.

But it is simply impossible to solve it completely.

Even if it could be done, it would lead to the Northern Group becoming too powerful. This result was not what Han Zhen wanted to see.

Again, balance.

The imperial court needed checks and balances between officials from the north and the south, and the country also needed checks and balances from the north and the south.

A single family is not good for anyone.

July twenty-seven.

Han Zhen drove away from Hangzhou, first visited Mingzhou (Ningbo) Port, and then headed south to Longquan.

At the same time, Kuang Zixin also led his navy and hundreds of warships upstream along the Yangtze River.

After reuniting with Liu Qi's army, they will launch a general attack on Xiangyang.

The fifth day of August.

An autumn rain has made the sweltering weather on Liangzhe Road much cooler, and the lingering power of the autumn tiger has finally passed.

"The last general (wei minister) has met your majesty."

A continuous drizzle fell on Yue Fei's armor. The raindrops gradually gathered into a water line and continued to slide down the armor.

The clothes of the magistrate of Longquan County in the rear and all the local gentry and country sages had already been soaked.

The rain blurred Lu He's eyes, obstructing his vision.

While everyone was bowing and saluting, he quickly wiped the rain off his face and quietly looked at the carriage.

Unfortunately, the carriage was wrapped tightly and the holy face could not be seen at all.

From the carriage, a hearty voice came: "No need to be polite, the autumn rain is quite cold. Dear friends, please follow me into the city quickly. Don't get caught by the wind and cold."

These words made everyone's hearts feel a little hot, and they felt that the rain was not in vain.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Everyone thanked them together and walked towards their carriage.

Lu He had no fame, but the Lu family was quite famous in Longquan. His ancestor was Lu Xisheng, the prime minister of the late Tang Dynasty. One of his family members fled to Jinxi, Longquan and other places in the south to avoid the wars of the Five Dynasties.

The Lu family has lived in righteousness for many generations, runs the family in a strict manner, lives in poverty and enjoys righteousness, and is famous far and wide. It is quite similar to the Xie family in Fuyang, who established his world through articles.

As the saying goes, one generation sees food, the second generation sees through it, and the third generation sees articles.

If a family wants to survive the decline of three generations, it must transform.

Knowledge is always more important than land and money.

Even if the family is in decline, as long as the family's knowledge remains, there is still hope for revival.

Lu He followed Fang Qu, the chief registrar of Longquan County, into the same carriage. The two of them had known each other since childhood and had a close relationship.

After getting on the carriage, Fang Qu took the towel handed by the servant, wiped his cheeks, and said: "When you enter the city later, your Majesty will summon us. At that time, I will introduce the Taoist minister to your Majesty. This opportunity is once in a lifetime, if you miss it , I’m afraid it will be difficult to meet again.”

Lu Hefeng Qingyun said calmly: "Brother Dongyang accepts it with good intentions. It doesn't matter to me whether I can join an official position or not."

He has an indifferent temperament. Over the years, he has been traveling and studying, teaching his young son, and he has been leisurely and contented.

But Fang Qu, a good friend, did not think so and advised: "It is a pity that Dao Qing, who has the talent to manage the world, is wasting away his time in seclusion in the countryside. The previous emperor of the Pseudo Song Dynasty was ignorant and immoral, and traitors were rampant in the court. If you don't want to be an official, I still understand, but although today's officials have a strong temperament, they are thirsty for talents and follow advice readily. They can be called heroes and wise kings. With their talents, they will definitely be reused by the officials, and they will serve as officials for a long time and benefit the people. "

"Thank you."

Having said this, Lu He couldn't refuse, so he handed over his hand and thanked him.

Fang Qu waved his hand: "Why do we need to see each other outside of each other?"

While talking, the two took off their wet clothes and put on dry clothes.

Sure enough, after entering the city, Han Zhen, who settled in Linxing Palace, immediately summoned them.

"I have met His Majesty."

Lu He mingled among the crowd and quietly took a look at His Majesty.

The official was younger and more heroic than he thought. He had a smile on his face, a gentle face, and his whole person exuded strong confidence.

After seeing the ceremony, Han Zhen said: "If you come, please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the seat."

After everyone thanked him, they all took their seats.

Lu He only sat halfway up his buttocks and his body was straight. The same was true for the rest of the people.

Sitting in this position makes it easy to stand up at any time to answer His Majesty's questions.

Summoning the squire was just a formality, and besides, they were just accompanying guests. The only people who could talk to Han Zhen were the magistrate of Longquan County and the chief bookkeeper.

After a while of greetings, Fang Qu saw that the time was ripe, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Han Zhen asked: "What does Fang Qing want to report?"

"Wei Chen has a good friend. When he left Quzhou more than a month ago, he was kidnapped by the remnants of Fang La and went up to the mountain. He saw with his own eyes the rebel Fang Seven Buddhas and the secrets of Manichaeism."

Recommendations must also follow a basic method. Fang Qu is just a chief clerk, a small official as big as a sesame seed and a mung bean, and he speaks lightly.

Moreover, rash recommendations are too blunt and often have the opposite effect.

Therefore, an entry point is needed.

Now Fang Qifu occupies Fujian and calls himself the King of Fujian, which is just a good way to pave the way.

Hearing this, Han Zhen said calmly: "I wonder who Fang Qing's friend is?"

Fang Qu took advantage of the situation and introduced: "Wei Chen's friend's surname is Lu. He is a Taoist minister and comes from the Lu family of Jinxi. He is very knowledgeable and Wei Chen often seeks advice from him."

Lu He quickly stood up and said humbly: "I am no more than a peasant in the countryside. Brother Dongyang is so ridiculous that I can't take it seriously."

"Ah."

Han Zhen smiled slightly and looked at Lu He. He felt that the name seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember it for a while.

Immediately he ordered: "Please tell me in detail what happened to Fangla's remnants."

Lu He didn't dare to hide anything and told the matter exactly as it was.

After hearing what he saw in Paradise, a chill flashed in Han Zhen's eyes.

Fang Qifu really mastered the method of making opium.

This person must be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise the disaster will be endless.

Once opium spreads over a large area, there will be trouble.

Thinking of this, Han Zhen called out: "Yue Fei."

"The general is here!"

The next moment, Yue Fei strode into the hall wearing armor.

Now that Fang Qifu has fled to Fujian, the Yanzishan cottage has most likely been abandoned, but to be on the safe side, we still have to send someone to investigate.

Han Zhen ordered: "Send the scout battalion to go to Yanzi Mountain to investigate. In addition, arrange an elite force to clear out the bandit Qiangliang on the two Zhejiang roads."

"The last general takes orders."

Yue Fei answered with cupped fists, then turned around to make arrangements.

After explaining, Han Zhen chuckled and said, "You continue."

"Yes."

Lu He nodded and continued what he just said. His words were very detailed and he brushed off unimportant things, but what he had seen and heard about Paradise was extremely detailed, such as how smoke can make people addicted and so on.

Han Zhen had known the effects of opium for a long time, so he was not surprised. Instead, he asked: "The person who escaped with you is called Song Duan?"

"good."

Lu He nodded.

Song Duan, a native of Jinling, fled from Xi'an County, carrying hundreds of thousands of green coins and Huang Tingjian's letters with him...

Han Zhen had a strange look on his face, turned around and said, "Liu Chang, get the portrait from Jingjie."

"The slaves obey."

Liu Chang responded and turned and left.

Not long after, he returned to the hall holding a portrait.

Pointing to the portrait, Han Zhen asked: "Is this person Song Duan?"

Lu He looked at it carefully for a moment, nodded and said, "Your Majesty, this is the person."

"Song Duan, King Duan of the Great Song Dynasty, I never imagined that an old boy like Zhao Ji would still have this experience."

Han Zhen chuckled, feeling that fate was on his side.

Once Zhao Ji's identity is leaked and Fang Qifu learns of it, he may immediately use opium to control him, and then use the emperor to control the princes.

By then, the situation will be many times more difficult than today.

After all, Zhao Ji's name is still very useful.

"Your Majesty, you mean that Song Duan is the pseudo-Song Emperor?"

Lu He was stunned for a moment, his face full of disbelief.

But if you think about it carefully, Song Duan's behavior and behavior are indeed strange.

Even Lao Jiu, Fang Qu and others looked surprised.

The pseudo-Song Emperor was actually kidnapped and taken up the mountain by Fangla's remnants. This was really bizarre.

This trip was not in vain. Not only did I get to see His Majesty’s face, but I also heard such exciting anecdotes that I will have something to talk about after I return.

After picking up the tea cup and taking a sip, Han Zhen asked, "Does Dao Qing have any fame?"

How could Fang Qu's little thoughts be hidden from Han Zhen? He didn't report this matter sooner or later, but he waited until this time to report it. Didn't he just want to recommend Lu He?

Han Zhen was not disgusted with this.

If Lu He is really a great sage from the countryside and has the talent to manage the world, it is not impossible to make him special and promote him.

Lu He replied: "Report to your majesty, the common people have no fame or honor."

Hearing this, Fang Qu on the side suddenly became anxious, but at this time, it was difficult for him to interrupt, so he could only worry on the side.

In fact, Lu He was not without talent and learning. In the third year of Zhenghe's reign, he ranked first in the prefectural examination. As a result, his mother died of illness in the autumn and he returned to his hometown to observe mourning for three years.

During the period of observing filial piety, Zhao Ji greatly promoted the development of Huashi Gang, which made the people in the south miserable. Lu He felt that the emperor was fatuous, so he simply gave up the idea of ​​becoming an official through the imperial examination, and went on a study tour to visit Taoism and teach his young son.

Han Zhen didn't care: "Fang Qing praised you for being extremely knowledgeable, so I will test you in the school."

"Your Majesty, please give me a question."

Lu He looked calm and his tone was confident.

Han Zhen asked: "I want to regain Lingnan, but there are many native tribes in Guangdong and Guangxi, and the native officials are as rebellious as vassal kings. How can I explain it?"

In fact, during the Sui, Tang and Song dynasties, Lingnan was included in the territory, which was actually a way of putting money on one's face.

These local officials in Lingnan are no different from the local emperors. They don't listen to propaganda. Not only do they not pay taxes, but the court has to reward these local officials every year.

This is not regaining Lingnan, this is finding a father for himself.

Hearing this question, Fang Qu's expression changed drastically.

He did not expect that His Majesty's so-called school examination would be so difficult.

Recovering Lingnan, counting up to three dynasties, so many capable ministers have not been solved, I hope Lu He can give the answer, this...

After Lu He pondered for a moment, he said loudly: "I have three strategies: upper, middle and lower, but it depends on your majesty's ambition."

"Oh?"

Han Zhen became interested and chuckled: "What does it have to do with my ambition?"

"If His Majesty only wants to win over Guangdong and Guangxi, he can adopt a strategy of combining kindness and power, punish the big and reward the small, build schools, and promote Chineseization. In thirty to fifty years, the prestige of native officials will no longer be the same as before, and Han officials can be used to replace them."

Lu He paused and continued: "If your Majesty wants to restore the territory of the Han and Tang Dynasties and capture Dali, Jiaozhi, and even Tianzhu together, then you should be domineering. Those who obey me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish. Anyone who dares to disobey will be killed. Exterminated them all, and then moved the Han people from the Central Plains, Shuzhong, and the South to Guangdong and Guangxi."

"Humph!"

At this moment, Lao Jiu, who had been silent and acted as the door god, snorted coldly and retorted: "On paper, there are hundreds of thousands of mountains in Lingnan, and miasma poisonous insects are everywhere. How difficult it is to kill Tufan!"

Lu He was not annoyed and said matter-of-factly: "I am a scholar. When your Majesty asks for advice, he will naturally only talk about strategy. Leading troops to fight is the job of a general and other warriors. What does it have to do with me?"

"..."

Lao Jiu's tone was stagnant and he was speechless.

"Fun and interesting."

Han Zhen smiled, stood up and said, "I'm a little tired, please step aside."

"Wei Chen (Xiaomin) resigned."

Everyone stood up and bowed to say goodbye.

After leaving the palace and getting on the carriage, Fang Qu sighed and comforted: "Brother Daoqing, don't be discouraged. When the county government expands its recruitment next year, brother Daoqing will definitely be selected successfully with his talent and learning. Alas, your majesty is here." It’s really a bit heavy to lift…”

If you don't want to be appointed, you can just say it directly, why bother making things difficult for others.

Lu He raised his eyebrows and said with a slightly strange look on his face: "Brother Dongyang, why did you say this? Your Majesty is quite satisfied with my advice."

"Is Your Majesty satisfied with the policy?"

Fang Qu was stunned for a moment, his face full of confusion.

Lu He did not explain, but bowed his hands and said, "Thank you so much for the recommendation, Brother Dongyang."

……

Watching Lu He and others leave, Han Zhen ordered: "Liu Chang, please present this man's life and the past of the clan later."

"My slave takes orders."

Liu Chang responded.

Hearing this, Lao Jiu couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, this person is just a useless scholar who only knows how to talk on paper. Why should you value him so much?"

"You're such a tough guy."

Han Zhen shook his head and said with a smile: "Civil and martial arts are different. How many people in this world can be versatile in civil and military affairs? He is right. Civil servants only provide advice. As for how to fight, that is a matter for the military. Besides, you can guess it. I plan to attack Jiaozhi and Dali, and I am not a useless scholar."

Lao Jiu added: "Dali and Jiaozhi are all barbaric places. Even if we conquer them, it will be useless. Your Majesty, please think again."

Han Zhen said: "How can it be useless? It is of great use. In places such as Jiaozhi, where there is high temperature and rain, rice can be stably harvested three or even four times a year. You only need to sprinkle the seeds into the fields, and there is no need to transplant the seedlings or take care of them. It can last for several months." Then there will be a good harvest.”

The Little Ice Age has quietly arrived. In addition to Jiangnan and Zhejiang, having a few more granaries will be of great benefit without any harm.

Moreover, in this era, if we don’t fill the people’s stomachs, let alone develop industry.

"Is there such a treasured land?"

Lao Jiu's eyes widened with disbelief on his face.

Oh my God.

Rice that is harvested three or even four times a year is still the most valuable.

Seeing this, Han Zhen poured a basin of cold water on him: "Don't think too much of Jiaozhi. Most of the area there is indeed a barbaric land. Poisonous snakes and insects are everywhere, even more so than Guangdong, Guangxi and Lingnan. You will die if you are not careful. . It will take a lot of effort to develop Cochin into a granary.”

Lao Jiu said firmly: "That's worth it."

There is never enough food to eat. With this guarantee of food production, we have to win it no matter how high the cost is!
(End of this chapter)